Ontario commissioner says mixed martial arts is illegal under Criminal Code

While the UFC trumpets its first show in Canada, predicting a sellout at Montreal's Bell Centre for its April 19 card, the door to mixed martial arts in Ontario remains closed.

"It (staging a mixed martial arts show) is a Criminal Code offence," Ken Hayashi, chairman of the Ontario Athletic Commission, said in a recent interview with The Canadian Press.

Hayashi refers to Section 83.1 of the Criminal Code which says anyone who "engages as a principal in a prize fight," encourages, promotes or is present at a prize fight as an aid, second, surgeon, umpire, backer or reporter is guilty of an offence - unless the "boxing contest" is "held with the permission or under the authority of an athletic board or commission or similar body established by or under the authority of the legislature of a province for the control of sport within the province."...More?

source: canadianpress.google.com